standing
with feet at approximately shoulder width with the knees slightly bent,Sanchin-dachi is utilized
extensively in performing many of the exercises described herein. This stance is
one of the oldest Kamae (postural
structures) within the martial arts and is found in many karate styles and most
Fukien based southern Chinese Gung-Fu styles.
Proper lower body posture (1.) may be achieved by:
·
standing
with feet at approximately shoulder width with the knees slightly bent,
·
adducting toes (point in toward the
groin) at an approximate 30 degree angle,
·
pivoting on the ball of one foot
(which becomes the rear foot) so that it is oriented with toes straight to the
front,
·
stepping forward with the other in a
semi-circular fashion making sure to foot glide along the floor, and
·
posting the front foot in an adducted
position such that the heel is on a line parallel with the toes of the rear foot
Proper
upper body posture [ 2.] is characterized by the following criteria:
·
shoulders should be sunken (relaxed),
·
chest empty
(following the lead of the back),
·
back straight,
·
head lifted as though suspended from a
string (which tucks the chin) ,
·
waist stable to connect the upper and
lower parts of the body, and buttocks tucked slightly to aid in straightening
the spine, and elbows sunken to protect the flanks.
The fighting posture of Uechi-Ryu is a modified Sanchin-dachi.
It is the same in all respects save one, the orientation of the
fighter to his opponent is that of a slight
oblique angle. This posture allows the full use of the fighter's attributes
(e.g., all four extremities may be deployed). Additionally, at close range it
permits the use of elbows, knees, and head butts, egress to evasive ashi sabaki (footwork), and facilitates the fighters’ protection
of sites of physiological vulnerability, such as the groin and medial aspect of
the thigh and leg.
KIBA-DACHI
(HORSE STANCE]
Practitioners
of arm conditioning exercises may readily employ the horse stance familiar to
most martial artists.